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UK gives Big Tech ultimatum over children sending nudes

By AAP Newswire

Jun 8, 2026

A teenager uses his mobile phone to access social media, Sydney — The UK government wants ⁠device controls that prevent ‌children sharing sexually explicit images. -AAP Image

Big tech firms operating in Britain must introduce ‌safety measures on children's phones to prevent them circulating ‌nude images or they will face legislation forcing them ‌to do so, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says.

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Under the new plans, firms such as Apple and Google should build or activate technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to ‌detect and ‌block ⁠nude images for children, the government said.

Adults would still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age verification process.

"Today I'm calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce ⁠device controls that prevent ‌children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images," Starmer said in a speech at ‌London Tech Week.

"This is not an impossible challenge."

A statement accompanying Starmer's announcement said if companies did not act within three months, the government would bring forward legislation to force them to activate the technology.

"This will ‌include fines for companies. Nothing is off the table, and as a last resort the government is exploring whether this could extend criminal liability for tech bosses who fail to comply," the government statement said.